Pressure sensitive adhesive tape dispenser



Sept. 22, 1970 E. E. SHARPE 3,529,757

PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE TAPE DISPENSER Filed Oct. 1, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. EVERETT E. SHARPE Sept. 22, 1970 S E. E. SHARPE 3,529,757 PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE TAPE DISPENSER Filed 001:. 1, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 51 5257? frSHARPE FICA United States Patent PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE TAPE DISPENSER Everett E. Sharpe, Shelton, Conn., assignor to Better Packages, Inc., Shelton, Conn.

Filed Oct. 1, 1968, Ser. No. 764,193 Int. Cl. B65h 23/04 US. Cl. 226-88 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for feeding strip material, particularly a tape having a pressure sensitive adhesive coating on one side, comprises a frame in which is rotatably mounted a lower feed roller having a surface of a material such as a silicon rubber which has good release characteristics in respect to pressure sensitive adhesive. The frame rotatably mounts a reel supply of pressure sensitive tape which is directed with its adhesive side engaging over the lower feed roller. An upper feed roller is mounted on a yoke member for movement toward and away from the lower feed roller and, it includes a V-shaped projection, Which may be engaged in a V-shaped groove defined around the periphcry of the lower feed roller. A drive mechanism comprises a hand-operated crank which drives the lower feed roller through gearings and which also drives a cam mechanism. The cam mechanism elfects the shifting of the yoke member carrying the upper feed roller in a downward direction to cause feeding engagement of the upper and lower feed rollers and the feeding of tape therebetween. The downward movement of the yoke member and the engagement of the upper feed roller with the lower feed roller is not effected until after the lower feed roller has moved by a certain amount in order to break any, adherence of the tape to the lower feed roller.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates, in general, to strip material dispensing devices and, in particular, to a new and useful device for dispensing a continuous length of tape, having a pressure sensitive adhesive coating on at least one side, using a pair of cooperative feed rollers; and wherein one of the feed rollers which is constructed of a material having good release characteristics for pressure sensitive adhesive is rotated by the drive to initially free it from the adhesive tape and thereafter, the other roller is brought into feeding engagement with the freed roller for the feeding outwardly of the tape material therebetween.

The inventive device is particularly suited for the dispensing of strips of pressure sensitive tapes, and in par ticular, to the dispensing of those tape materials having a great tendency to curl or to develop static charges of electricity. At the present time, it is known to despense a length of tape by utilizing two cooperative feed rollers between which the tape is fed. A disadvantage in the use of feed rollers with pressure sensitive tape, however, is that the tape material tends either to become firmly affixed to one or both of the feed rollers so that no dispensing is possible, or the dispensing operation is such that the tape material curls and cannot be fed outwardly from the dispenser in a condition in which it may be easily gripped and used by the operator.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a tape dispenser particularly for the dispensing of a tape material having a pressure sensitive adhesive on one side which includes a roller mounted in a frame in a position to permit the directing of a length of tape from, a roll supply over the roller surface. The roller is advantageously made of material having good release characteristics in respect to pressure sensitive adhesive so that it is advantageous to feed the tape material with the pressure sensitive adhesive side oriented downwardly on the feed roller. The construction includes a yoke member which is slidably movable in the frame and which carries the axle for a cooperating feed roller. The feed roller may be shifted with the yoke member to cause engagement of a V-shaped projection of this feed roller with a V-shaped groove defined in the lower feed roller. The construction includes a rotatable drive shaft, which may be operated by any suitable rotating means such as a hand-operated crank or handle member, for example. The drive includes a gear drive from the shaft to provide for continuous rotation of the lower feed roller when the drive is set in motion. In accordance with a feature of the invention, the drive also includes means for shifting the yoke .member carrying the upper feed roller into engagement with the lower feed roller, but only after the lower feed roller has rotated by a predetermined amount and has freed the tape material from the surface of the roller.

The drive mechanism is such that when no tape is being dispensed and the operating crank or other driving mechanism is at rest, the gripping pressure on the tape is released. When the drive is initiated, such as by de pressing a crank member, or key arm, the lower feed, roller is rotated slightly before any gripping pressure is applied to the tape. This breaks whatever adhesion between this roller and the pressure sensitive tape might exist and which may result, for example, when the device is not operated for long periods of time.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the cooperating feed rollers are constructed such that there is a V-shaped projection on one which engages in a V-shaped groove on the surface of the other so that tape fed therebetween will be given a V-shaped cross section as it is fed outwardly therefrom. The apex of the V- shaped cross section is centered between the sides of the tape so that the tape is strengthened and delivered outwardly from the machine in a stiffened condition so that it will be easy to grasp by the operator and to handle for subsequent application.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for the dispensing of a strip material having at least one side coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive and, which includes a feed roller over which the coated side of the tape is directed and, a cooperating feed roller which is movable into association with the other feed roller to effect the outward feeding movement of the tape, and, wherein the feed rollers are driven by a drive mechanism, which effects first the initial rotation of the feed roller having contact with the pressure sensitive adhesive side of the tape in order to free the tape from adhesion to this roller and the subsequent movement of the cooperating roller into engagement with the feed roller to effect the dispensing of the tape material by feeding between the rollers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for feeding a pressure sensitive adhesive tape in a manner such that the feeding may be carried out intermittently to dispense a selected length of tape as desired and, also in a manner to impart rigidity to the tape as it is fed so that is will feed outwardly from the device and in the form of a rigid projection, which may be easily grasped and applied by the operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for feeding strip material, which is simple in design, rugged in construction, and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a device for dispensing pressure sensitive adhesive tape constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view partially in section of the device, taken along line 33 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale and indicating the parts in an operative feedout position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, in particular, the invention embodied therein comprises a device for dispensing a selected amount of pressure sensitive tape in a manner such that it will be easily usable by an operator. The apparatus includes a frame composed of laterally spaced side frame members and 12 which are held in position by cross frame and spacer members 14. Each side frame member includes a foot portion 10a and 12a, respectively, to permit the positioning thereof on a table top or desk, for example. A reel supply of pressure sensitive adhesive tape 16 is carried on a drum 18 having journals 20 which are rotatably supported at the lower end of withdrawal slots 22 defined in each of the side frame members 10 and 12.

In accordance with the invention, the tape 24 is directed with its adhesive-coated side 24a oriented downwardly over a lower feed roller 26. The lower feed roller 26 is secured to a shaft 28 which is rotatably mounted at a fixed location in the side frames 10 and 12. In the embodiment illustrated, the roller 26 is made of a material having easy release characteristics in respect to pressure sensitive adhesive such as a silicon rubber.

An upper feed roller or cooperating feed roller 30 is aflixed to a shaft 32 for rotation therewith. The shaft 32 is rotatably mounted in arm portions 34a and 34b of a yoke member 34. The yoke member 34 is centered by guide pins 36 and 38 and its bottom 34c engages over a return spring arm a of a return spring 40 which is coiled around a cross member '14. The arm portion 40a urges the yoke member 34 upwardly to the position indicated in FIG. 3 in which the upper feed roller 30 is out of engagement with the lower feed roller 26. As is also visible in FIG. 3, the upper feed roller 30 includes a V-shaped projection 30a which engages into a V-shaped groove 26a of the lower feed roller 26. The groove 26a is centrally located so that when engagement of the upper feed roller 30 with the lower feed roller 26 occurs, the tape which is fed therebetween is imparted with a V- shaped groove which extends longitudinally between the side edges of the tape. This causes a stiffening or n'gidizing of the tape and the outward movement thereof during feeding so that the tape extends in the form of an aerial or rigid stick and projects outwardly in a rigid form so that it can be easily grasped by an operator.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, drive means for dispensing the tape comprises means for effecting an initial rotative movement of the lower feed roller 26 alone in order to free the adhesive surface of the tape from the drive roller in the event that there is a somewhat rigid connection between the two, which may occur, for example, during long periods of no operation. The drive mechanism includes means for shifting the yoke member 34 downwardly to cause the projection 30a of the upper feed roller 30 to engage in the groove 26a of the lower feed roller 26 and the frictional drive of the tape be tween the upper and lower feed rollers to dispense a selected amount of tape from the reel supply 16. In the embodiment illustrated, the drive means includes a crank arm or dispensing key arm 42 having a hub portion 42a which is engaged around a drive shaft 44.

The drive shaft 44, as best seen in FIG. 1, carries a projection 46 at one end which is engaged by a return spring 48 which has its opposite end engaged over a cross frame member 14 (see FIG. 2). The spring 48 urges the drive shaft 44 in a clockwise direction to return it to an initial position. When the crank 42 is depressed, the shaft 44 is driven in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, to an amount corresponding to the amount of the depressing of the crank arm 42.

Drive shaft 44 carries a gear 50, which is freely rotatable thereon and also a combined ratchet gear and cam member 52. A pawl 54 (FIG. 1) is secured to the gear by a pin 56 and it engages a ratchet gear portion 52a of the combined ratchet gear and cam member 52. The gear and cam member 52 is secured to the shaft 44 for rotation therewith at all times, but drives to the gear 50 is through the ratchet portion 52a and the pawl 54.

The gear 50 is in meshing engagement with an idler gear 58 which, in turn, is in meshing engagement with a gear 60 carried by the shaft 28 having the lower feed roller 26. When the crank 42 is depressed downwardly, the gear 50 will be given a clockwise rotation but when the crank 42 is permitted to return under the action of the spring 48, the gear 50 will not rotate. The pawl 54 is maintained in engagement with the ratchet wheel portion 52a by a spring (not shown). The pawl 54 is advantageously in the form of a gear which is eccentrically mounted on the pin 56.

Rotation of the shaft 44 causes the continuous rotation of the combined ratchet gear and cam member 52. The combined ratchet gear and cam 52 includes a cam portion 521) which is contacted by a roller follower 61 carried on a follower crank arm 62. The cam portion 52b includes a raised operative cam surface 64 and a reduced or non-operative cam surface or notch 66. When the follower roller 61 is engaged in the notch portion 66, the feed wheel 30 is raised by the action of spring arm 40a which causes the upward movement of the yoke 34 so that the roller will not be in contact with the lower feed roller 26. The outer ends of the shaft 32 are guided in slots 68 and 70 on the frame parts 10 and 12, respectively.

The operation of the device is as follows:

When the crank 42 is depressed for feeding tape, the shaft 44 together with the combined ratchet gear and cam member 52 rotate. The ratchet wheel portion 52a also rotates to drive the gear 50 through the pawl 54. R0- tation of the gear 50 causes the rotation of the lower feed wheel 26 through the gearing 58 and 60. Initially the upper feed roller 30 is out of contact with the tape 24 and the lower roller 26, as indicated in FIG. 3. However, as the crank 42 is moved downwardly further and the feed roller 26 rotates by an amount sufficiently to break contact of its surface with the adhesive of the tape 24, the cam follower 61 is moved to a position at which it rides on the surface 64. The crank follower 62 includes a crank arm portion 62a which engages over a set screw 72 which is threaded through an opening in the lower portion 34c of the yoke 34. The rotation which is imparted to the crank arm follower 62 and which is indicated by the arrow 74, causes a downward movement of the yoke 34 in the direction of the arrow 78 and the engagement of the upper roller 30 with the lower roller 26. This causes the projection 30a to move to engage the tape 24 and to force it into the groove 26a and to also cause a frictional driving engagement between the two rollers 30 and 26 and the tape 24. The tape 24 which is located between the feed rollers 30 and 26 will then be moved outwardly from the two rollers to a location at which it extends substantially rigidly outwardly beneath a serrated cut-off bar 80. Since the tape 24 projects rigidly outwardly from the device, it may be easily grasped by the operator and torn across the edge of the serrated cutoff bar 80. In its rigid V-shaped configuration, it may be moved by the operator into association with the apparatus which is to be taped.

When the crank 42 is released, it is returned by the action of the spring 48 so that the cam portion 52 is also rotated in the return direction. This causes the roller 61 to move off the raised surface 64 and into the notch 66 so that the yoke 34 is again lifted by the spring arm 40a to position the upper feed roller 30 out of engagement with the lower feed roller 26.

The set screw 72 carries an adjustment nut 82 which may be threaded on the set screw 72 for the purpose of changing its position to permit variation of the pressure between the feed rollers 30 and 26. This variation will affect the amount of the cross section which is imparted to the tape 24 as it is fed between the rollers 30 and 26.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for feeding strip material particularly for feeding a tape having a pressure sensitive adhesive on one side, comprising a lower rotatable roller of a material having good release characteristics in respect to pressure sensitive adhesive and having a groove defined around it periphery over which the adhesived side of the tape is adapted to be fed, an upper rotatable roller having a projection around its periphery engageable in the groove of said lower rollers, mounting means for rotatably sup porting said lower roller, means mounting said second feed roller for rotation and for movement toward and away from said first feed roller for engagement of the projection of said upper roller into the groove of said lower roller and the feeding of the tape therebetween, and drive means connected to said lower feed roller and to said mounting means for rotating said lower feed roller when said upper feed roller is spaced away from said lower feed roller whereby to free said lower feed roller from adherence to the material being fed and to thereafter move said upper feed roller toward said lower feed roller to cause engagement of said feed rollers with the tape there-between and to effect dispensing of the tape as said lower feed roller continues to rotate.

2. A device, according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a yoke member rotatably carrying said upper roller, frame means supporting said yoke for movement upwardly and downwardly for shifting said upper roller toward and away from said lower feed roller, said drive means including a member engageable with said yoke for shifting said yoke after said lower feed roller has rotated by a predetermined amount.

3. A device, according to claim 2, wherein said means for shifting said yoke comprises a crank arm having one arm portion engaged with said yoke and another arm portion having a roller follower, said drive means including a rotatable cam engaged with said follower and adapted to shift said follower after a predetermined movement of said cam.

4. A device, according to claim 3, including means for adjusting the position of said yoke relative to said follower first arm portion.

5. A device, according to claim 1, wherein said lower feed roller includes a groove defined therein, said upper feed roller having a projection adapted to engage the tape and to force it into the groove of said lower feed roller.

6. A device for feeding strip material particularly a tape having a pressure sensitive adhesive on at least one side thereof, comprising a mounting frame, a lower feed roller having a peripheral surface of a material having good release characteristics in respect to pressure sensitive adhesive rotatably mounted on said frame, means for mounting a reel supply of a pressure sensitive tape in a position in which the tape is adapted to pass from the reel supply over the surface of said lower feed roller, said lower feed roller having a groove defined around its periphery at a location over which the tape is adapted to be fed, a yoke member movable upwardly and downwardly in said frame, an upper feed roller rotatably mounted on said yoke member in a position overlying said lower feed roller, said upper feed roller having a projecting portion adapted to engage in the groove of said lower feed roller, a rotatable drive shaft, a cam carried on said drive shaft and being rotatable therewith, gear means between said drive shaft and said lower feed roller for rotating said lower feed roller upon rotation of said drive shaft and follower means engaged with said cam and with said yoke and being movable by said cam to shift said yoke to cause said upper roller to engage with said lower feed roller after a predetermined revolution of said lower feed roller.

7. A device, according to claim 6, wherein said gear means permits backward rotation of said shaft without backward rotation of said lower feed roller, and spring means connected to said shaft to return said shaft in one direction of rotational movement after it has been driven in an opposite direction of rotational movement.

8. A device, according to claim 6, including a crank arm connected to said shaft, said crank arm projecting outwardly from said frame and being depressable to rotate said crank shaft to drive said lower feed roller.

9. A device, according to claim 6, wherein said gear means includes a gear freely rotatable on said shaft, pawl means carried by said gear, a second ratchet gear carried on said shaft and being rotatable therewith engaged with said pawl means.

10. A device, according to claim 6, wherein said follower means comprises a pivotal crank arm follower having one arm with a roller follower in engagement with said cam and another arm portion engaged with said yoke member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,325,063 7/1943 Krueger 226-154 2,684,240 7/1954 Lindsey 226-88 RICHARD A. SCHACHER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

